The Federal Government has disclosed that a total of 67.6 million barrels of crude oil have been supplied to Nigeria’s domestic refineries in a renewed push to boost local refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. The announcement underscores the administration’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s vast crude resources to stabilise the energy market and tackle rising fuel costs.
According to official data, the supplies were channelled to both government-owned and private refineries over recent months as part of an ongoing strategy to ensure consistent feedstock for domestic processing. Authorities say the move is expected to enhance operational efficiency at the country’s refineries, many of which have historically struggled with inadequate crude supply and frequent shutdowns.
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources noted that increasing crude allocations to local plants aligns with the broader goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency. By strengthening domestic refining, the government aims to reduce the huge foreign exchange burden spent on importing refined fuel and mitigate price volatility in the downstream sector.
Officials highlighted that the initiative also supports the operation of new private refineries, including the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, which is expected to play a central role in transforming Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Smaller modular refineries are also receiving allocations to scale up output and expand access to refined products across different regions.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the development but caution that sustained supply and transparent distribution mechanisms are critical for long-term success. Some experts warned that without addressing pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and infrastructure bottlenecks, the impact of the increased supply might not fully translate into cheaper fuel at the pump.
The government, however, maintains that it is working closely with security agencies and industry regulators to protect crude supply lines and enforce accountability in distribution. Officials expressed optimism that with consistent supplies, Nigeria could soon reverse decades of reliance on imports and even position itself as a net exporter of refined products in Africa.
As the crude supply programme progresses, Nigerians are watching keenly to see whether the increased allocations will reflect in more stable fuel prices, reduced scarcity, and improved energy security — outcomes the government insists are at the core of its policy drive.
